We issue birth and death certificates for Washington State. Find out how you can request a certified copy of birth and death records below.

Before you request records, you should know:

• Our offices are currently open Monday-Friday 8:30a.m. - 4:30 p.m.. You can also download an application form below.
• Only people with specific relationships to the person on the birth or death record can receive a certified copy of a birth or death certificate.
• You must provide documents that show proof of your identity and your relationship. 
• The cost of a certificate is $25.00 per copy.
• Anyone can order non-certified copies of birth and death records. Non-certified copies cannot be used for legal purposes.

Order a certified birth or death certificate (certified copy)

Online

Order birth or death certificates online through the State's official vendor, VitalChek.

Mail 

To apply by mail, you must send proof of eligibility and identity documents. To apply:

• Download and complete the form.
  • Birth Certificate order form - English | Spanish
  • Death Certificate order form - English | Spanish
  • You can also pick up paper copies of these forms at 509 Girard Street. Forms are located near our lobby door on the parking lot side of the building.
• Attach a copy of a government-issued photo ID and Proof of Eligibility documents (if required). Examples of photo ID include:
  • Driver’s license.
  • State-issued ID.
  • Photo page of a passport.
• Include your payment. We only accept checks or money orders.
• Mail the form to us at 509 Girard Street, Bellingham, WA 98225.
  • You can also drop off completed forms in our drop slot at the same location.

Eligibility and Identity Documents

Find out who can request official birth and death records and what documents you can use to prove your relationship.

• Who can request records - English | Spanish
• What identity documents can I use?
• Authorized Representative Form - Use this form if you are:
  • Identified in a notarized form signed by a qualified applicant.
  • An agent identified in a Power of Attorney

Ordering non-certified, informational copies of birth and death records

Anyone can order non-certified, informational copies of birth and death records. Non-certified copies cannot be used for legal purposes. They are often used for genealogy or family history purposes.

• Order an Non-Certified Birth or Death Record - English | Spanish
• Get answers to your frequently asked questions.
  

Newborn applications

Applications for birth certificates for newborns can take up to 3 weeks to process.

If the parents are not married, it may take additional time to process the application. Find more information about rules for Acknowledgment of Parentage from the Washington State Department of Health.

What about records that you don’t provide?

The Washington State Vital Records Office provides records for:

• Births in Washington State from July 1, 1907 to present.
• Deaths in Washington State from July 1, 1907 to present.
• Marriage and divorce records from January 1, 1968 to present.

The Whatcom County Auditor's Office also provides marriage and divorce records.

You can order birth and death certificates for records outside of Washington State by:

• Contacting the state or local health department where the event occurred.
• Ordering them from VitalChek.

For More Information

• Washington State Department of Health - Vital Records